OEM vs After market parts???

[Da Dark Jedi]

Now my 97 Q45 has just reached 64000 miles and repair/maintenance is now due. Just recently it threw codes for O2 & Knock Sensor. I have searched and have found replacement parts cheaper than OEM prices by brand name manufactures (Delphi & Denso). Are these parts equal or just as good as OEM? Also, I've seen the same part numbers that says OEM at still cheaper prices than my service department (60% off), does it REALLY MATTER as far as quality?
Modified by Da Dark Jedi at 10:06 AM 7/13/2009

[Q45tech]

Dealers typically mark up parts by 50-100% over their cost to limit labor rates and to pay for sunk inventory costs and the 4-5 employees who sell parts.

Automotive parts are marked up much less than mens suits or dress shirts, shoes etc. Look at on patent vs generic drugs.

As long as you are trained in examining fit and finish, metallugy, electronic testing you can make adequate decisions on suitability of replacement parts.

Unfortunately over the years we have tried to save customers money by selectively using cheap parts. It almost always caused problems and forced us to replace at our cost the flimsy part.

It all depends on your life requirement and your labor costs for replacement.

Extremely critical components may leave you on the side of the road paying towing at best or with a full failure if you don't notice problems [overheatingor leaking lubes].

[Da Dark Jedi]

So, are Denso & Delphi quality parts manufactuers of automotive parts?? I've seen their names before.

[Q45tech]

Denso makes parts primariliy for Toyota/ Lexus and Delphi for GM designs.Both Visteon and Delphi were spun off from GM and are somewhat independent but in/out/in out of bankruptcy now.

As far as I know there are no Delphi or Denso EQUIVALENTS to Nissan oem parts. We purchase lots of Denso parts for Toyota/Lexus and zero Delphi parts for either brand.

Important to not confuse Japan Bosch with US or German Bosch they are very different companies with the same name!!!!!!

[maxnix]

RTFSM!

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